spans the nation ' s 220 @ - @ year modern history , from the early australian frontier wars between aboriginal ##s and europeans to the ongoing conflicts in iraq and afghanistan in the early 21st century . although this history is short when compared to that of many other nations , australia has been involved in numerous conflicts and wars , and war and military service have been significant influences on australian society and national identity , including the anzac spirit . the relationship between war and australian society has also been shaped by the enduring themes of australian strategic culture and its unique security dilemma . as british offs ##hoot ##s , the australian colonies participated in britain ' s small wars of the 19th century
spans the nation's 220 @ - @ year modern history, from the early australian frontier wars between aboriginals and europeans to the ongoing conflicts in iraq and afghanistan in the early 21st century. although this history is short when compared to that of many other nations, australia has been involved in numerous conflicts and wars, and war and military service have been significant influences on australian society and national identity, including the anzac spirit. the relationship between war and australian society has also been shaped by the enduring themes of australian strategic culture and its unique security dilemma. as british offshoots, the australian colonies participated in britain's small wars of the 19th century